A BRADFORD MP is the latest MP to publicly oppose plans to expand Leeds Bradford Airport as the debate intensifies further.

Naz Shah (Bradford West, Labour) has signed her name alongside all five Leeds Labour MPs - Alex Sobel, Hilary Benn, Rachel Reeves, Richard Burgon and Fabian Hamilton.

The expansion for the airport would see the creation of a replacement terminal with developers promising a more efficient and sustainable building that would allow the airport to reach its target of becoming carbon net zero by 2023 for airport operations.

We have been very clear in our proposals how we will manage future emissions and work towards a net zero future, in line with the aviation industry.

- Leeds Bradford Airport spokesperson

In her objection, Ms Shah said: “I have taken the plans of the expansion into careful consideration, looking at the benefits that it will have towards my constituents, alongside the detriment it will have towards them and especially future generations... The increase in passengers at the airport will inevitably lead to a growth in carbon emissions and therefore... I cannot support the planned expansion of Leeds Bradford Airport."

The plans have been embroiled in controversy for months with the Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport (GALBA) accusing the airport of being "plane crazy".

Research by climate scientists at the University of Leeds shows the proposed increase in flights would cause the airport’s greenhouse gas emissions to double. The extra capacity would see passenger numbers rise from 4 million per year to 7 million by 2030.

It is also claimed it would mean a significant increase in noise pollution for families living under the flight path, especially Menston, Burley-in-Wharfedale and Ilkley.

But councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport at Bradford Council, said there is " a very delicate balance to strike", adding that "without an airport, our region would be at a huge economic disadvantage".

Three weeks ago, Bradford Council notified Leeds City Council that it had 'no objection' to the airport's planning application.

Chris Foren, chair of GALBA, said: “This new objection must make Leeds councillors realise that airport expansion cannot be allowed. Naz Shah is the latest MP to publicly oppose the plans, joining all five Leeds Labour MPs - Alex Sobel, Hilary Benn, Rachel Reeves, Richard Burgon and Fabian Hamilton. All of them oppose the damage that airport expansion would do to our climate and point out the urgent need to help people move into safe and sustainable jobs.”

Chris added: “It would be plane crazy to allow the airport to double its greenhouse gas emissions in the middle of the climate emergency. Scientists all over the world are warning us that we have to cut emissions as fast as we can. We have the power to tackle tomorrow’s climate crisis by making the right choices today.”

Manny McKenzie, campaigner and constituent in Bradford West, said: 'Actions must match words. If we claim to tackle the climate crisis by reducing CO2 but act to increase CO2 massively by expanding the airport this is not honest!"

While another campaigner, Jane Thewlis, said: "The New Economics Foundation have carried out an analysis of expanding Leeds Bradford airport and concluded it is likely to be financially detrimental to the Leeds City Region (which includes Bradford) to the tune of billions of pounds. This is mainly due to residents going on holiday abroad and spending their money elsewhere and health costs from additional air and noise pollution, as well as counteracting the carbon emissions. I hope Leeds City Plans Panel look at this report and vote against expansion for the sake of West Yorkshire residents, and I thank Naz for her support for our futures."

A spokesperson for Leeds Bradford Airport said: “We always value feedback from members of the public, interested groups and stakeholders, and we have consulted extensively both with members of the public and environmental experts to ensure that our plans create an efficient replacement terminal for the future. 

"We take our environmental responsibilities seriously and we will continue working in collaboration with our airline partners to minimise the impact of their operations on the environment. Our replacement terminal will allow us to meet the demand for 7 million passengers in a more efficient way, provide an efficient terminal building and allow us reach net zero. We have been very clear in our proposals how we will manage future emissions and work towards a net zero future, in line with the aviation industry.

“These proposals are about the long-term vision for our airport. We cannot deny that infrastructure is a long-term investment that generates long-term prosperity, regional economic growth, essential connectivity for businesses and jobs for the future, and we are confident that air travel will continue to form an essential part of our region’s infrastructure in the future.”